President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, made a firm and compelling declaration on that the time is now for UN member states to show, with their actions, that they mean what they say concerning the crackdown on terror financing, economic sabotage, and illicit mineral and arms smuggling in the developing world.
Tinubu made the remark while addressing world leaders at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, USA.
According to Tinubu, “the fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continent’s mineral-rich areas from pilfering and conflict. Many such areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation.
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.
“Foreign entities that are abetted by local criminals, who aspire to be petty warlords, have drafted thousands of our people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel countless violent enterprises.
“If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk. Given the extent of this injustice and the high stakes involved, many Africans are asking whether this phenomenon is by accident or by design.
“Member nations must reply by working with us to deter their firms and nationals from this 21st-century pillage of the continent’s riches. To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this year’s Assembly, the poverty of nations must end.
“The pillage of one nation’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must now end.”
Tinubu went on to say that while his vigorous economic development diplomacy push for new investment has been clearly effective in presenting Nigeria as business-ready, the President believes that the ease of doing business may not be the fundamental impediment to large-scale investment.
“The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.
“Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of quality African exports, and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we desire,” the President affirmed.
President Bola Tinubu delivered his first address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the early…
The President also stated that the global fight against the effects of climate change cannot be based on a “one size fits all” approach and that nations must work together to develop and implement strategies that are tailored to their respective socioeconomic strengths and weaknesses.
“African nations will fight climate change, but we must do so on our terms. To achieve the needed popular consensus, this campaign must align with our overall economic efforts.
“In Nigeria, we shall build political consensus by highlighting remedial actions that also promote the broader economic good.
“Projects such as ‘The Great Green Wall’ to stop desert encroachment; halting the destruction of our forests through the mass production and distribution of gas-burning stoves; and the provision of employment through local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives simultaneously.
“Continental efforts regarding climate change will register important victories only if established economies are more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africa’s preferred projects and initiatives,” the President cautioned.
Tinubu finished by reminding the world of Africa’s true role in the global village.
“Walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided, nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future,” he concluded.
